Can you please introduce yourself? (you may tell us about your name and family, education and career)

My name is Winnith Schrywer, born in Windhoek – so daughter of the soil. I completed my BCompt via Unisa years ago, so I studied and worked at the same time; which both grounded me and instilled the discipline in me that was required for my future. Of course I didn’t know it the time. I am a mother to an 18 year young man who is on his way to start his own journey to University and couldn’t be prouder. My career span took many twists and turns over the years, from financial companies, to hospitality to logistics – so my exposure has been vast. From working to JSE listed companies to working for entrepreneurships. In itself this has fundamentally prepared me for my own entrepreneurial role.

What is your business about and what is your role?

On 1st October 2016, a significant corporate action resulted in Gijima Information Technology Services undergoing a name change to VEYA ICT. This transformation was driven by Gijima’s transition to being 100% beneficially owned by Namibians.

The name “VEYA” holds great significance as it translates to “we have come” in a Namibian vernacular. This word carries a deep meaning, symbolizing the long-awaited establishment of an indigenous ICT leader that Namibians have yearned for over the years. VEYA ICT has embraced a clear mandate within its vision and mission to spearhead the pursuit of ICT service excellence in Namibia. This commitment serves as a catalyst to elevate the standards within the Namibian ICT sector.

I am proud to be leading this wonderful team as their Managing Director

What’s new at your business? Products etc

We firmly believe that there exists a symbolic relationship between enhanced service delivery and professional development. So we focus in the development of Namibians in ICT projects in country, whether it be an ERP or infrastructure project. We specialize in SAP implementations and supporting the Banking Sector in Namibia.

Do or did you have a woman leader as a mentor or are there specific women who inspired you and why?

I know in this question most people say their mothers – and in my case this happens to be true as well – but because my mother embodies the construct of being an African woman. The African woman has this unique ability to take nothing and turn it into something. And I have watched my aunts to do exactly the same thing. As with any child that grew up during the apartheid era – my story is no different. But it was always my mother and our aunts that kept us safe, that nurtured, that fed, that educated – even at times when they had no resources to do so, whether that was emotionally or financially or physically. To this day I stand astounded at their achievements – and they never got accolades, or even expected them – they were just graceful every step of the way – and remain so to this day.

What do you think helped you the most to make a career as a woman? What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?

I had a very good support system. But also I had and still have a very good friend that keeps me accountable. With that said, I have never been afraid of mentors; past or present or future. There are no better teachers than those that have done this before and have the stripes to prove it. Your mentors may and must change based on where you are on your journey. And probably most important – don’t be afraid to fall – as long as you fall forward. I think once I had unburdened myself from the fear of failure – success showed up.

As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career? Have you been confronted with gender-related roadblocks in your career?

This is a strange question for me to answer. I think if you don’t understand that gender-related roadblocks and barriers are an absolute given because you had the audacity to get on this road, you shouldn’t be on this road in the first place. You cannot progress if all you are doing is looking for are roadblocks or barriers. They are there – they will always be there – yours is to identify your objective and work to achieve it. The rest doesn’t matter in the bigger scheme of things. And nothing shuts up like performance. What I do not like is the sexual harassment that young women still face in workplace. This needs to change.

What mistakes have you made along the way and what did you learn from them?

I cannot have it all. I cannot be an excellent mother, an excellent daughter, an excellent business woman – all at the same time and all in equal measure. I will fail. But not all of them carry the same importance every day. So I need to find a way of managing my own expectations. I am a woman in a man’s world………and I cannot change that which is natural for now. It is still a man’s world – I accept that. Mine is to chip away at that philosophy and make it more gender neutral. At the same time – I am meant to be a woman, and every time I have tried to play the man’s game – I have failed. My biggest successes have come when I remained true to my nature.

What are some patterns you’ve noticed over the years about women at work, and things they could be doing better to advance their careers?

I think we shy away from what it takes to get to where you are. Every successful woman that I know has a story of pain and sacrifice behind that success. What is currently causing me concern is that women feel entitled – and forget the burden that they carry for generations that are to come after them. Today I stand on the shoulders of giants. Mine is to make the journey of women who come after me a little easier than my own. I find that women today are working backwards and not forward – we are forgetting that even though our paths have been made easier, the work is far from over. We have a long way to go to still have women accepted in top positions, and be welcomed in boardrooms. So once we get there – failure is not an option. And we may fall – but fall forward. If we always keep that in mind – the rest will fall into place as a natural consequence.

Why do you think companies would benefit from having more women at the top?

I think like with everything in life men need women and women need men. It is what gives balance in this world. What I found is that companies with a too aggressive approach at some point burn out ie they lose market share or their product lines become irrelevant. Companies that have too soft an approach in general move too slow, and inevitably don’t take required risks when opportunities exist – and they too fail. Once we realize that companies need BALANCE, the question of benefit is not very logical – because a need is a MUST.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

You stand on the shoulders of Giants. You are the now the next Giant. It is a privilege – not a burden

You are undoubtedly busy, how do you take care of yourself and maintain a good mental health?

I make a conscious decision to switch off. I don’t get this right on my best of days. But life has taught me that mental health is not a myth. I solo travel – to places where people would rather not go – you tend to view your own life through a new lens of appreciation. And you push your own boundaries as to both your physical and mental capabilities. It’s where and when I re-balance.

How should women support other women in their organizations?

STOP celebrating her failures louder than you celebrate her successes. In fact – celebrate her Successes, but hold her accountable for her failures. There is a difference. And her sex life has nothing to do with you! This is just a narrative that we feed for men not to be held accountable for their own transgressions.